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The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR at tonight's concert with the generous support from the Swire Group. The Academy, in partnership with the Swire Group, also announced the founding of the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra - a pioneering youth initiative to foster cultural exchange across the region.
Established and directed by HKAPA, with the support of the Swire Group as Founding Patron, the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra aspires to be one of the finest youth orchestras in Asia. It will aim to raise the standard of classical performances in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to new heights, by bringing together talented young musicians from across the region for professional training under the auspices of HKAPA, as well as offering opportunities for performance and cultural exchange. Commencing this autumn, 2022, the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra will begin to enrol its first intake of around 80-100 young musicians aged between 16 and 24 years from Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macau.
"As an internationally recognised conservatoire, HKAPA is committed to promoting Hong Kong as a global centre of excellence for the arts and cultural exchange," said HKAPA Director, Professor Gillian Choa. "It therefore gives me great pleasure, in partnership with Swire Group, to announce the formation of the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra - a unique opportunity to nurture talented young musicians from cities around the GBA, enabling them to develop to their fullest potential. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its commitment to the arts and unfaltering support for HKAPA over the years. My thanks also go to the Swire Group for their sponsorship of tonight's very special concert, combining the talents of various music institutes around the GBA in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR."
"Swire is delighted to be Founding Patron of the Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra," said Guy Bradley, Chairman of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited. "We are very excited by the potential offered by this new initiative to promote Hong Kong as Asia's city of culture and creativity and we hope that through music, we can encourage the development of closer connections between young people from all parts of the Greater Bay Area."
"The Greater Bay Area Youth Orchestra will provide a platform for talented young orchestral players from our neighbouring cities to share their passion for music," said Professor Sharon Andrea Choa, HKAPA's Head of Conducting and Cultural Leadership (Music). "Our aim is to enrich the artistic visions of our younger generation, enabling them to see their future beyond geographic or cultural boundaries."
Tonight's "The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Presents: HKSAR 25thAnniversary Celebration Concert" programme included three contrasting works performed by the Academy Symphony Orchestra: Dai Pai Dong, an award-winning work inspired by the unique Hong Kong culinary culture; guzheng concerto Rushi; and Beethoven's Choral Fantasy in C minor, Op.80, with the Academy Choir. Xinghai Conservatory of Music, the Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra Association and the Shenzhen Arts School also provided special video performances for tonight's programme. Guest conductors included Maestros, Lio Kuokman and Lin Daye.
To celebrate the HKSAR's 25th anniversary, some tickets for the concert were distributed free to members of the public and the concert was also livestreamed on the HKAPA website and on RTHK TV32 for audiences in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to enjoy the performances of talented musicians from the region. A video of the occasion will also be made available online; please stay tuned to the Academy website and social media channels for updates.
Photo captions: (Please click here to download high resolution images.)
(From left) Ms. Michelle Li Mei-sheung JP, Permanent Secretary for Education; Dr. Choi Yuk-lin JP, Secretary for Education; Professor Gillian Choa, Academy Director; Mr. Douglas So Cheung-tak BBS, JP, Deputy Council Chairman of the Academy; Mrs. Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki JP, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.
(From left) Dr. Joshua Abrams, Academy Deputy Director (Academics); Mr. James Tong, Director Public Affairs, John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Limited; Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong JP, Legislative Council Member; Ms. Michelle Li Mei-sheung JP, Permanent Secretary for Education; Dr. Choi Yuk-lin JP, Secretary for Education; Professor Gillian Choa, Academy Director; Mr. Douglas So Cheung-tak BBS, JP, Deputy Council Chairman of the Academy; Mrs. Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki JP, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Arnold Cheng, Director-Hong Kong & Pearl River Delta, John Swire & Sons (China) Limited; Mr. Chapman Ngan, Academy Deputy Director (Administration).
Academy Symphony Orchestra performing award-winning piece Dai Pai Dong.
Guests and supporters of the Academy join in to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR with Academy faculty and students.
About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own Undergraduate and Post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master's Degree programmes and below. The programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera are accredited by HKCAAVQ for recognition under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy's Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006. In the QS World University Rankings announced in 2022, the Academy is ranked 1st in Asia and 10th in the world in the Performing Arts category. www.hkapa.edu
About Swire Group
The Swire Group is a highly diversified global corporation, with businesses encompassing property, beverages and food chain, aviation, marine, as well as trading and industrial activities. Its core businesses are mainly focused in Asia, with its key operations in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Within Asia, Swire's activities primarily come under the Group's publicly quoted arm, Swire Pacific Limited (HKSE: 00019/00087), which is the largest shareholder in two Hong Kong listed companies: Swire Properties and Cathay Pacific Airways. www.swire.com